A Case Study of Procedures and Methods for Self-Disposal of Radioactive Wastes Generated after Nuclear Research and Development

Radioactive wastes generated after the activity of nuclear research and development are confined and controlled within the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute to observe the Korean nuclear safety Act. In this paper, the self-disposal of radioactive wastes will be described in the cases of wood, plastic and iron contaminated with depleted uranium in surface. The surface contamination level was counted by a proportional counter, low back alpha/beta counter in the derived unit of radioactivity per area (Bq·cm^-2). The final concentration value was calculated in unit of radioactivity per mass using the radioactivity conversion formula. According to the IAEA Safety Guide, the limit for radioactive clearance level of natural uranium is less than 1 (Bq·g^-1). The maximum value of the radioactive concentration calculated at our cases is 3.78×10^-2 (Bq·g^-1). This value was not exceeding the standard value of the allowable concentration of clearance for each radionuclide specified in the technical standards. Therefore, the self-disposal plan was finally approved by nuclear regulatory body, and the wastes were safely disposed in the methods of incineration and recycling